Hot Topics:

Lowell man charged in suspicious fires

LOWELL -- A 24-year-old city man was charged by police with arson after he was accused of using a lighter to set two early-morning fires on Thursday in the city's downtown.

Andres Ortiz-Arroyo, of 43 Whipple St., is facing charges of arson, burning a dwelling and domestic assault and battery. He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Lowell District Court.

Lowell police say the that at12:40 a.m. Wednesday, a fire was reported at 602-604 Central St., a business with apartments on the upper floors. Less than two hours later, at 1:45 a.m., another fire was reported at an apartment building at 49 Wamesit St.

Security video from Central Street fire shows a man dressed in red pacing in fright of the store, then he enters the alley between the buildings, then abruptly leaves. Afterward, a fire erupts. Police recognized the man on the video as Ortiz-Arroyo from a previous arson investigation.

Police learned that before the two fires, Ortiz-Arroyo was involved in a domestic situation on Lawrence Street in which he is accused of punching his girlfriend several times.

When interviewed by police, Ortiz-Arroyo allegedly admitted to police he set both fires by using a lighter, which he he later discarded, to set trash on fire outside the buildings.

When asked why he set the fires endangering anyone inside, Ortiz-Arroyo allegedly told police he was "mad at the world"" and has serious anger issues.

Welcome to your discussion forum: Sign in with a Disqus account or your social networking account for your comment to be posted immediately, provided it meets the guidelines. (READ HOW.)
Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion of The Sun. So keep it civil.

NEW YORK (AP) — Chrissie Hynde will tell the story of her life, with all its ups and downs. Penguin Random House announced Tuesday that the Pretenders singer was working on an "an incredibly frank" memoir that will come out Sept. Full Story